Packing member

ABSTRACT

A packing member includes a storage case for storing an article to be packed and a plurality of cushion members that are disposed in the storage case so as to face the article to be packed. The plurality of cushion members each have coupling portions, and, of the plurality of cushion members, adjacent cushion members are coupled together by the coupling portions.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-181656 filed on Nov. 8, 2021. the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a packing member.

Some known shock absorbers enclose an article to be packed from all around it.

Conventionally, a cardboard sheet is used as a shock absorber. Conventionally, one cardboard sheet is folded and an article to be packed is enclosed in the folded cardboard sheet. The article to be packed enclosed in the cardboard sheet is accommodated in a case.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a packing member includes a storage case and a plurality of cushion members. The storage case is for storing an article to be packed. The plurality of cushion members are disposed in the storage case so as to face the article to be packed. The plurality of cushion members each have coupling portions. Of the plurality of cushion members, adjacent cushion members are coupled together by the coupling portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of cushion members according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state where the plurality of cushion members according to the one embodiment face an article to be packed (as seen from the front side);

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state where the plurality of cushion members according to the one embodiment face the article to be packed (as seen from the rear side);

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of, of the plurality of cushion members according to the one embodiment, the cushion member arranged at the bottom left side;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of, of the plurality of cushion members according to the one embodiment, the cushion member arranged at the bottom right side;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of, of the plurality of cushion members according to the one embodiment, a cushion member arranged at the top left side:

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of, of the plurality of cushion members according to the one embodiment, the cushion member arranged at the top right side;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of, of the plurality of cushion members according to the one embodiment, the cushion member that holds the article to be packed from opposite sides in the left-right direction;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the cushion member shown in FIG. 8 :

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of, of the plurality of cushion members according to the one embodiment, the cushion member arranged at the front side;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of, of the plurality of cushion members according to the one embodiment, the cushion member arranged at the rear side;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating positioning of the cushion member at the bottom side according to the one embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a positioning structure for the front side of the cushion member at the top left side according to the one embodiment:

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a positioning structure for the front side of the cushion member at the top right side according to the one embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a positioning structure for the rear side of the cushion member at the top left side according to the one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a positioning structure for the rear side of the cushion member at the top right side according to the one embodiment:

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a positioning structure for the left side of the cushion member at the front side according to the one embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a positioning structure for the right side of the cushion member at the front side according to the one embodiment:

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a positioning structure for the left side of the cushion member at the rear side according to the one embodiment,

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a positioning structure for the right side of the cushion member at the rear side according to the one embodiment; and

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating an assisting function of the packing members according to the one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 21 , packing members 100 according to an embodiment will be described. In the following description, X direction in the diagram is defined as the left-right direction (corresponding to the “horizontal direction”), Y direction in the diagram is defined as the front-rear direction, and Z direction in the diagram is defined as the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the packing member 100 includes a storage case 200. The storage case 200 is for storing an article to be packed 300. The article to be packed 300 is, for example, a printer.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the packing member 100 includes a plurality of cushion members 10 that are independent of each other . That is, the plurality of cushion members 10 are each a member separate from any other of the cushion members 10. The plurality of cushion members 10 are each made of paper. The plurality of cushion members 10 are arranged inside the storage case 200. The plurality of cushion members 10 protect the article to be packed 300 in the storage case 200.

The storage case 200 is formed of, for example, a cardboard sheet. The storage case 200 has an opening 200A at the top side in the up-down direction. The plurality of cushion members 10 are put in or taken out of the storage case 200 through the opening 200A. That is, the direction in which the cushion members 10 are put in or taken out of the storage case 200 is the up-down direction. Likewise, the article to be packed 300 is put in or taken out of the storage case 200 through the opening 200A.

Although not illustrated, after the article to be packed 300 is accommodated, the opening 200A is closed with flaps that are formed integrally with a main body of the storage case 200. After the article to be packed 300 is accommodated, the opening 200A may be closed with a lid member that is separate from the main body of the storage case 200. When the article to be packed 300 is put in or taken out, the opening 200A is opened.

The number of cushion members 10 is seven. The number of cushion members 10 that constitute the packing member 100 is not subject to any particular limitation; it may be less than seven, or may be equal to or larger than eight. In the following description, the plurality of cushion members 10 may be distinguished by the reference signs 1 to 7.

The plurality of cushion members 10 are disposed in the storage case 200 so as to face the article to be packed 300. The plurality of cushion members 10 are arranged between the inner face of the storage case 200 and the article to be packed 300 and are in contact with the article to be packed 300. The plurality of cushion members 10, in the storage case 200, support the article to be packed 300 so that it does not move.

Of the plurality of cushion members 10. two are arranged, in the storage case 200, at the bottom side in the up-down direction. Hereinafter, the two cushion members 10 arranged at the bottom side in the storage case 200 are identified by the reference signs 1 and 2 to be distinguished from the other cushion members 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the cushion member 1 alone, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the cushion member 2 alone.

One cushion member 1 at the bottom side is arranged at the left side in the left-right direction, is in contact with the article to be packed 300 at its bottom left corner, and supports the article to be packed 300 at its bottom left corner. The other cushion member 2 at the bottom side is arranged at the right side in the left-right direction, is in contact with the article to be packed 300 at its bottom right corner, and supports the article to be packed 300 at its bottom right corner.

The cushion members 1 and 2 are hollow pulp moldings formed by pulp molding from a pulp molding material using a mold. When, for example, the storage case 200 is dropped, the pulp moldings deform to damp (absorb) the impact on the article to be packed 300. The cushion members 3 and 4 described later are also pulp moldings.

Of the plurality of cushion members 10, two are arranged, in the storage case 200, at the top side in the up-down direction. Hereinafter, the two cushion members 10 arranged at the top side in the storage case 200 are identified by the reference signs 3 and 4 to be distinguished from the other cushion members 10. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the cushion member 3 alone, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the cushion member 4 alone.

One cushion member 3 at the top side is arranged at the left side in the left-right direction, is in contact with the article to be packed 300 at its top left corner, and supports the article to be packed 300 at its top left corner. The other cushion member 4 at the top side is arranged at the right side in the left-right direction, is in contact with the article to be packed 300 at its top right corner, and supports the article to be packed 300 at its top right corner.

Hereinafter, of the plurality of cushion members 10, the three cushion members 10 other than the cushion members 1 to 4 are identified by the reference signs 5 to 7. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the cushion member 5 alone. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the cushion member 6 alone. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the cushion member 7 alone.

The cushion members 5 to 7 are, for example, members formed by folding cardboard sheets. The cushion members 5 to 7 have hollow parts (tubular parts) formed by folding cardboard sheets.

The cushion member 5 has a function of assisting a user in taking out or putting in the article to be packed 300 (hereinafter simply called the assisting function). This will be described in detail later. The cushion member 5 does not necessarily need to have the assisting function.

The cushion member 5 has a left part 510, a right part 520, and a bottom part 530.

The left part 510 faces the left side of the article to be packed 300 in the left-right direction, and the right part 520 faces the right side of the article to be packed 300 in the left-right direction. In other words, the left part 510 and the right part 520 face each other across the article to be packed 300. The left part 510 has a side plate 501 that faces the left side face of the article to be packed 300 and the right part 520 has a side plate 502 that faces the right side face of the article to be packed 300. The pair of side plates 501 and 502 are parallel (or substantially parallel) to YZ plane. The pair of side plates 501 and 502 face each other across the article to be packed 300.

The article to be packed 300 is held from opposite sides in the left-right direction by the pair of side plates 501 and 502. The pair of side plates 501 and 502 may be in contact with the article to be packed 300. The pair of side plates 501 and 502 may be provided with additional shock absorbers (for example, pulp moldings). Such shock absorbers may be in contact with the article to be packed 300 (the article to be packed 300 may be supported with those shock absorber).

The left part 510 has a hollow part 511 in a rectangular columnar shape at the front side in the front-rear direction. The right part 520 has a hollow part 521 in a rectangular columnar shape at the front side in the front-rear direction . The hollow part 511 is fixed to a front part of the side plate 501. and the hollow part 521 is fixed to a front part of the side plate 502. In the storage case 200, the hollow part 511 is arranged in the left corner at the front side, and the hollow part 521 is arranged in the right corner at the front side. The hollow part 511 supports a left part of the front side of the article to be packed 300, and the hollow part 521 supports a right part of the front side of the article to be packed 300.

The bottom part 530 is a hollow part in a rectangular columnar shape. The bottom part 530 includes a front bottom part 531 and a rear bottom part 532. The front bottom part 531 is arranged, in the storage case 200, at the front side in the front-rear direction, is in contact with the article to be packed 300 at its front, and supports the article to be packed 300 at its front. The rear bottom part 532 is arranged, in the storage case 200, at the rear side in the front-rear direction, is in contact with the article to be packed 300 at its rear, and supports the article to be packed 300 at its rear.

The left part 510 and the right part 520 are connected together. In other words, the pair of side plates 501 and 502 are connected together . Specifically, the cushion member 5 has a bottom plate 50 that faces the bottom surface of the article to be packed 300. The bottom plate 50 connects the pair of side plates 501 and 502 together at their bottoms. The pair of side plates 501 and 502 are connected to the bottom plate 50 at their bottoms. Hereinafter, connecting portions between the bottoms of the pair of side plates 501 and 502 and the bottom plate 50 are identified by the reference sign CP.

For example, for the production of the cushion member 5, a cardboard sheet is prepared that integrally has a part to become the left part 510, a part to become the right part 520, and a part to become the bottom part 530. The part to become the left part 510 (side plate 501) is folded perpendicularly to the part to become the bottom plate 50. The part to become the right part 520 (side plate 502) is folded perpendicularly to the part to become the bottom plate 50 so that the right part 520 (side plate 502) faces the left part 510 (side plate 501). FIG. 9 schematically shows a state where the left part 510 is folded completely and the right part 520 is folded halfway.

The cushion member 6 is arranged, in the storage case 200, at the front side in the front-rear direction. The cushion member 6 is in contact with a front part of the article to be packed 300. The cushion member 6 supports the front part of the article to be packed 300.

The cushion member 6 has hollow parts 61 and 62 that extend each in a rectangular columnar shape in the up-down direction. In the storage case 200, the hollow part 61 is arranged at the left side, and the hollow part 62 is arranged at the right side. The tubular axes of the hollow part 511 of the cushion member 5 and of the hollow part 61 of the cushion member 6 substantially coincide in position. The tubular axes of the hollow part 521 of the cushion member 5 and of the hollow part 62 of the cushion member 6 substantially coincide in position.

The cushion member 7 is arranged, in the storage case, at the rear side in the front-rear direction. The cushion member 7 is in contact with a rear part of the article to be packed 300. The cushion member 7 supports the rear part of the article to be packed 300.

Of the plurality of cushion members 10, the cushion members 1 and 2 are arranged first inside the storage case 200. After the cushion members 1 and 2 are arranged, the cushion member 5 is arranged inside the storage case 200. After the cushion member 5 is arranged, the cushion members 6 and 7 are arranged inside the storage case 200. The cushion members 3 and 4 are arranged last inside the storage case 200.

Next, the positioning of the cushion members 10 will be described.

The plurality of cushion members 10 each have coupling portions E. The coupling portions E of the plurality of cushion members 10 each couple with another on an adjacent cushion member 10. In other words, the plurality of cushion members 10 each couple with another adjacent cushion members 10 with the coupling portion E. Thereby, in the storage case 200, the plurality of cushion members 10 are positioned with respect to the article to be packed 300.

Of every two coupling portions E that are coupled together, one is a coupling projection and the other is a coupling hole. That is, the coupling portions E comprise coupling projections and coupling holes. The coupling projections extend in the up-down direction. The coupling holes are holes in which the coupling projections can be removably inserted. This will now be described specifically.

A coupling portion E of the cushion member I and a coupling portion E of the cushion member 2 are coupled to coupling portions E of the cushion member 5. FIG. 12 shows a positioning structure for the cushion members 1 and 5. In the following description, wherever different coupling portions E need to be distinguished, a coupling portion E of the cushion member 1 that is coupled to the cushion member 5 is identified by the reference sign E1, and a coupling portion E of the cushion member 2 that is coupled to the cushion member 5 is identified by the reference sign E2. A coupling portion E of the cushion member 5 that is coupled to a coupling portion E1 or E2 is identified by the reference sign E51.

The cushion members 1 and 5 are positioned in a similar manner to the cushion members 2 and 5. Thus, no separate diagram is given of the positioning structure for the cushion members 2 and 5; instead, reference is to be made to FIG. 12 , which shows the positioning structure for the cushion members 1 and 5.

The coupling portions E1 and E2 are coupling projections. The coupling portions E1 and E2 are protruding parts that project upward in the up-down direction. The cushion member 1 has one coupling portion E1 at each of the front and rear sides . The cushion member 2 has one coupling portion E2 at each of the front and rear sides.

The coupling portions E51 are coupling holes. The coupling portions E51 are holes in which the coupling projections as the coupling portions E1 and E2 can be inserted. The coupling portions E51 are not limited to holes; they may instead be any other structure as long as the coupling projections can be inserted. For example, the coupling portions E51 can be recessed parts.

The coupling portions E51 are formed in a plate part that constitutes the bottom surface (the face facing downward) of the bottom part 530. In other words, the coupling portions E51 are the holes that penetrate the plate part that constitutes the bottom surface of the bottom part 530. In yet other words, the coupling portions E51 are openings that are formed in the bottom surface (plate part) of the bottom part 530.

The coupling portions E51 are formed one in each of the front bottom part 531 and the rear bottom part 532, both at the left. In other words, the coupling portions E51 are formed at places that overlap, in the up-down direction, the regions where the coupling portions E1 are formed

Thus, after the cushion member 1 is arranged at the bottom in the storage case 200, laying the cushion member 5 over the cushion member 1 from above results in the coupling portions E1 being inserted in the coupling portions E51. As a result, the cushion members 1 and 5 are coupled together.

The coupling portions E51 are formed one in each of the front bottom part 531 and the rear bottom part 532, both at the right. In other words, the coupling portions E51 are formed at places that overlap, in the up-down direction, the regions where the coupling portions E2 are formed.

Thus, after the cushion member 2 is arranged at the bottom in the storage case 200, laying the cushion member 5 over the cushion member 2 from above results in the coupling portions E2 being inserted in the coupling portions E51. As a result, the cushion members 2 and 5 are coupled together.

The cushion member 5 is placed on the cushion members 1 and 2. That is, with focus on the cushion members 1, 2, and 5, the cushion members 1 and 2 correspond to a “first cushion member”, and the cushion member 5 corresponds to a “second cushion member”.

Inserting the coupling portions E1 in the coupling portions E51 permits the cushion members 1 and 5 to be positioned with respect to each other. Inserting the coupling portions E2 in the coupling portions E51 permits the cushion members 2 and 5 to be positioned with respect to each other. In other words, the cushion members 1, 2, and 5 are held so as not to move in the direction parallel to XY plane (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction).

Coupling portions E of the cushion members 3 and 4 are coupled to coupling portions E of the cushion member 6. FIG. 13 shows a positioning structure for the cushion members 3 and 6, and FIG. 14 shows a positioning structure for the cushion members 4 and 6. In the following description, wherever different coupling portions E need to be distinguished, a coupling portion E of the cushion member 3 that is coupled to the cushion member 6 is identified by the reference sign E31, and a coupling portion E of the cushion member 4 that is coupled to the cushion member 6 is identified by the reference sign E41. A coupling portion E of the cushion member 6 that is coupled to coupling portion E31 or E41 is identified by the reference sign E61.

The coupling portions E31 and E41 are coupling holes. The coupling portions E31 and E41 are coupling holes that penetrate the cushion members 3 and 4 respectively in the up-down direction. For example, after a pulp molding process, holes are formed in the cushion members 3 and 4. The cushion member 3 has one coupling portion E31 at the front side. The cushion member 4 has one coupling portion E41 at the front side.

The coupling portions E61 are coupling projections. The coupling portions E61 are plate-like projections that project upward. The coupling portions E61 can be inserted in the coupling holes as the coupling portions E31 and E41. For example, the coupling portions E61 can be obtained by folding parts of the cardboard sheet to become the cushion member 6. Plate-like projections to become the coupling portions E61 may be fitted to the main part of the cushion member 6 afterward.

The coupling portions E61 are formed one at each of the left and right sides of the cushion member 6. In other words, the left coupling portion E61 is arranged at a place that overlaps, in the up-down direction, the region where the coupling portion E31 is formed, and the right coupling portion E61 is arranged at a place that overlaps, in the up-down direction, the region where the coupling portion E41 is formed.

Thus, after the cushion member 6 is arranged first in the storage case 200, laying the cushion members 3 and 4 over the cushion member 6 from above results in the coupling portions E61 being inserted in the coupling portions E31 and E41. As a result, the cushion member 6 and the cushion members 3 and 4 are coupled together.

The cushion members 3 and 4 are placed on the cushion member 6. That is, with focus on the cushion members 3,4, and 6, the cushion member 6 corresponds to a “first cushion member”, and the cushion members 3 and 4 correspond to a “second cushion member”.

Coupling portions E of the cushion members 3 and 4 are coupled to coupling portions E of the cushion member 7. FIG. 15 shows a positioning structure for the cushion members 3 and 7, and. FIG. 16 shows a positioning structure for the cushion members 4 and 7. In the following description, wherever different coupling portions E need to be distinguished, a coupling portion E of the cushion member 3 that is coupled to the cushion member 7 is identified by the reference sign E32, and a coupling portion E of the cushion member 4 that is coupled to the cushion member 7 is identified by the reference sign E42. A coupling portion E of the cushion member 7 that is coupled to coupling portions E32 and E42 is identified by the reference sign E71.

The coupling portion E32 is a cut-off part formed at the left rear corner of a plate part parallel to XY plane (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction). The coupling portion E42 is a cut-off part formed at the right rear corner of a plate part parallel to XY plane. The cushion member 3 has one coupling portion E32 (a cut-off part in a plate part) at the rear side. The cushion member 4 has one coupling portion E42 (a plate part with a cut-off part) at the rear side.

The coupling portions E71 are cut-off parts formed at the top front corners of a plate part parallel to YZ plane. The coupling portions E71 (cut-off parts in the plate part) can be obtained by folding a part of the cardboard sheet to become the cushion member 7. A plate part with cut-off parts as coupling portions E71 may be fitted to the main part of the cushion member 7 afterward.

The coupling portions E71 are formed one at each of the left and right sides of the cushion member 7. In other words, the left coupling portion E71 is arranged at a place that overlaps, in the up-down direction, the region where the coupling portion E32 is formed, and the right coupling portion E71 is arranged at a place that overlaps, in the up-down direction, the region where the coupling portion E42 is formed.

Thus, after the cushion member 7 is arranged first in the storage case 200, laying the cushion members 3 and 4 over the cushion member 7 from above results in the coupling portions E32 and E42 and the coupling portions E71 being coupled together, and thereby the cushion member 7 and the cushion members 3 and 4 are coupled together.

There is no particular limitation on the configuration of the coupling portions E32, E42, and E71. The coupling portions E32 and E42 may be coupling projections, and the coupling portion E71 may be coupling holes. Or, the coupling portions E32 and E42 may be coupling holes, and the coupling portions E71 may be coupling projections.

Coupling the coupling portions E31 and E41 with the coupling portions E61 and coupling the coupling portions E32 and E42 with the coupling portions E71 permits the cushion members 3, 4, 6, and 7 to be positioned with respect to each other. Thus, the cushion members 3. 4, 6, and 7 are held so as not to move in the direction parallel to XY plane (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction).

The cushion members 5 and 6 are coupled (engaged) with each other. A positioning structure for the cushion members 5 and 6 is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 . In the following description, wherever different coupling portions E need to be distinguished, a coupling portion E of the cushion member 5 that is coupled to the cushion member 6 is identified by the reference sign E52. A coupling portion E of the cushion member 6 that is coupled to coupling portion E52 is identified by the reference sign E62.

The coupling portions E52 are coupling holes. The coupling portions E62 are coupling projections. There are two coupling portions E52, and they are top parts (top ends) of the hollow parts 511 and 521 in the up-down direction. In other words, the coupling portions E52 are the holes (openings) at the top ends of the hollow parts 511 and 521. There are two coupling portions E62, and they are bottom parts of the hollow parts 61 and 62 in the up-down direction (see FIG. 10 ).

Thus, after the cushion member 5 is arranged first in the storage case 200, laying the cushion member 6 over the cushion member 5 from above results in bottom parts (that is, coupling projections) of the hollow parts 61 and 62 of the cushion member 6 being inserted in the tubular parts (that is, coupling holes) of the hollow parts 511 and 521. As a result, the cushion members 5 and 6 are coupled together.

The cushion member 6 is placed on the cushion member 5. That is, with focus on the cushion members 5 and 6, the cushion member 5 corresponds to a “first cushion member”, and the cushion member 6 corresponds to a “second cushion member”.

The cushion members 5 and 7 are coupled (engaged) with each other. A positioning structure for the cushion members 5 and 7 is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 . In the following description, wherever different coupling portions E need to be distinguished, a coupling portion E of the cushion member 5 that is coupled to the cushion member 7 is identified by the reference sign E53. A coupling portion E of the cushion member 7 that is coupled to coupling portion E53 is identified by the reference sign E72.

There are two coupling portions E53. One coupling portion E53 is a slit formed by cutting the left side plate 501 from above. The other coupling portion E53 is a slit formed by cutting the right side plate 502 from above. The side plates 501 and 502 each have the coupling portion E53 at the rear side.

The coupling portion E72 is a slit formed by cutting from below a plate part which is parallel to XZ plane and intersects with (can be perpendicular to) the side plates 501 and 502 as seen in a plan view from the up-down direction. The coupling portions E72 are formed one at each of the left and right sides of the cushion member 7. In other words, the left coupling portion E72 is arranged at a place that overlaps (intersects with), in the up-down direction, the coupling portion E53 in the side plate 501, and the right coupling portion E72 is arranged at a place that overlaps (intersects with), in the up-down direction, the coupling portion E53 in the side plate 502.

Thus, after the cushion member 5 is arranged first in the storage case 200, laying the cushion member 7 over the cushion member 5 from above results in the coupling portions E53 and E72 being coupled together, and thereby the cushion members 5 and 7 are coupled together.

There is no particular limitation on the configuration of the coupling portions E53 and E72. The coupling portions E53 may be coupling projections, and the coupling portions E72 may be coupling holes. Or, the coupling portions E53 may be coupling holes, and the coupling portions E72 may be coupling projections.

Coupling the coupling portions E52 and E62 together and coupling the coupling portions E53 and E72 together permits the cushion members 5 to 7 to be positioned with respect to each other. Thus, the cushion members 5 to 7 are held so as not to move in the direction parallel to XY plane (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction).

In the embodiment, as described above, the plurality of cushion members 10 (1 to 7) each have coupling portions E. The plurality of cushion members 10 each couple with another adjacent cushion member 10 with the coupling portions E. With this structure, even when any of the cushion members 10 is deformed and a gap is formed between the deformed cushion member 10 and the article to be packed 300, since the deformed cushion member 10 is coupled with other cushion member 10, it is possible to prevent the deformed cushion member 10 from deviating from the initial position.

Owing to the deviation of the deformed cushion member 10 being prevented, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience of a part of the article to be packed 300 supposed to be protected by the cushion member 10 not being protected sufficiently. Thus, it is possible to prevent the article to be packed 300 from being damaged when an impact is applied to the storage case 200.

In the embodiment, as described above, laying over the cushion member 10 (corresponding to a “first cushion member”) that has been arranged first in the storage case 200 the cushion member 10 (corresponding to a “second cushion member”) to be arranged next in the storage case 200 from above results in the coupling projections being inserted in the coupling holes, and thereby the first and second cushion members are coupled together. With this structure, simply by arranging a plurality of cushion members 10 in the storage case 200 sequentially via the opening 200A, it is possible to couple the cushion member 10 that is arranged first with the cushion member 10 that is arranged next. As a result, there is no need to separately perform a task of coupling the cushion members 10 together and this improves workability.

Next, a description will be given of the cushion member 5 having the assisting function.

In configuration in which the cushion member 5 has the assisting function, the cushion member 5 corresponds to a “third cushion member”. The cushion member 5 is arranged, in the up-down direction, between the cushion members 1 and 2 and the cushion members 6 and 7. The cushion member 5 is coupled with the cushion members 1 and 2 below and with the cushion members 6 and 7 above with the coupling portions E. The cushion members 6 and 7 are coupled with the cushion members 3 and 4.

Thus, in the embodiment in which the cushion member 5 has the assisting function, the cushion members 1 and 2 correspond to a “first cushion member”. The cushion members 6 and 7 correspond to a “second cushion member”. The cushion members 3 and 4 are indirectly coupled with the cushion member 5 via the cushion members 6 and 7. Thus, the cushion members 3 and 4 too correspond to a “second cushion member”.

Also, in the embodiment in which the cushion member 5 has the assisting function, the coupling portions E1 of the cushion member 1, the coupling portions E2 of the cushion member 2, and the coupling portions E51 of the cushion member 5 correspond to a “first coupling portion”. The coupling portions E62 of the cushion member 6 and the coupling portions E52 of the cushion member 5 correspond to a “second coupling portion”. The coupling portions E1 of the cushion member 1 and the coupling portions E2 of the cushion member 2 correspond to a “first coupling projection”. The coupling portions E51 of the cushion member 5 correspond to a “first coupling hole”. The coupling portions E62 of the cushion member 6 correspond to a “second coupling projection”. The coupling portions E52 of the cushion member 5 correspond to a “second coupling hole”.

The pair of side plates 501 and 502 of the cushion member 5 can each, as shown in FIG. 9 , move in directions toward and away from the side face of the article to be packed 300 with the connecting portion CP as a pivot. In other words, the pair of side plates 501 and 502 each move so as to swing its end part opposite from the connecting portion.

In some cases, after the cushion members 1 and 2 are arranged inside the storage case 200, the cushion member 5 is, already fitted to the article to be packed 300, arranged inside the storage case 200 along with the article to be packed 300. Here, if the left part 5 10 and the right part 520 move in directions away from the article to be packed 300, it makes packing difficult.

Thus, in the embodiment, as described above, the left part 510 has coupling portions E52 and E53 at its end part opposite from the connecting portion CP. To the coupling portion E52, the coupling portion E62 of the cushion member 6 is coupled, and to the coupling portion E53, the coupling portion E72 of the cushion member 7 is coupled.

With this configuration, as a result of the coupling portions E52 and E53 of the cushion member 5 being coupled to the coupling portions E62 of the cushion member 6 and the coupling portions E72 of the cushion member 7 respectively with the pair of side plates 501 and 502 holding the article to be packed 300 from opposite sides in the left-right direction (that is, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction), the pair of side plates 501 and 502 are held at positions facing each other across the article to be packed 300 in the left-right direction. That is, when the cushion member 5 along with the article to be packed 300 is arranged inside the storage case 200, coupling the cushion members 6 and 7 with the cushion member 5 makes it possible to prevent the pair of side plates 501 and 502 from moving in directions away from the side face of the article to be packed 300. This leads to improved workability during packing. The pair of side plates 501 and 502, with the cushion member 5 and the cushion members 6 and 7 coupled together, make contact with the side face of the article to be packed 300.

With this configuration, to unpack the packing members 100 and take the article to be packed 300 out of the storage case 200 from above, first the cushion members 3 and 4 are removed, then the cushion members 6 and 7 (that is, the second cushion member) are pulled up so that they are released from coupling with the cushion member 5 with the coupling portions E; and thus the cushion members 6 and 7 are removed. Then, by pulling up the cushion member 5 (that is, the third cushion member) while holding the pair of side plates 501 and 502, the cushion member 5 is released from coupling with the cushion members 1 and 2 (that is, the first cushion member) with the coupling portions E, and the article to be packed 300 can then be pulled up along with the cushion member 5. This provides improved workability in the unpacking of the article to be packed 300.

Here, the pair of side plates 501 and 502 each have a handle portion 500 formed in an upper part. The handle portions 500 are each formed by removing a part of the side plate 501 or 502 so as to form an opening penetrating it in the plate thickness direction.

With this structure, as a result of the cushion member 5 (that is, the third cushion member) and the cushion members 6 and 7 (that is, the second cushion member) being decoupled from each other, as shown in FIG. 21 . the pair of side plates 501 and 502 each open in a direction away from the side face of the article to be packed 300 with the bottom end part as a pivot. Specifically, the pair of side plates 501 and 502 each open in a direction away from the side face of the article to be packed 300 with the connecting portion CP (see FIG. 9 ) connected to the bottom plate 50 as a pivot. This allows the user to hold the handle portion 500. This makes it easy to carry the article to be packed 300.

During unpacking of the article to be packed 300, simply by removing the cushion members 6 and 7 from the cushion member 5, it is possible to unpack the article to be packed 300 out of the cushion member 5. This eliminates the need for extra operation such as cutting the cushion member 5. This provides improved convenience to the user.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be understood to be in every aspect illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the description of the embodiments given above but by the appended claims, and encompasses any modifications made within a sense and scope equivalent to those of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A packing member comprising: a storage case for storing an article to be packed; a plurality of cushion members that are disposed in the storage case so as to face the article to be packed; wherein the plurality of cushion members each have coupling portions, and of the plurality of cushion members, adjacent cushion members are coupled together by the coupling portions.
 2. The packing member according to claim 1, wherein the storage case has an opening at a top side, the article to be packed and the plurality of cushion members are put in or taken out in an up-down direction through the opening, the plurality of cushion members include: a first cushion member; and a second cushion member placed on the first cushion member, the coupling portions include: a coupling projection which is provided on one of the first and second cushion members and extends in the up-down direction; and a coupling hole which is provided in the other of the first and second cushion members and in which the coupling projection can be inserted, and the first and second cushion member are coupled to each other by inserting the coupling projection into the coupling hole.
 3. The packing member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cushion members include: a first cushion member: a second cushion member placed on the first cushion member; and a third cushion member arranged between the first and second cushion members in the up-down direction, and the third cushion member is coupled, with the coupling portions, with the first cushion member below and with the second cushion member above.
 4. The packing member according to claim 3, wherein the coupling portions include: a first coupling portion that couples the first and third cushion members together; and a second coupling portion that couples the second and third cushion members together, the first coupling portion includes: a first coupling projection which is provided on one of a top end part of the first cushion member and a bottom end part of the third cushion member and extends in the up-down direction; and a first coupling hole which is provided in the other of the top end part of the first cushion member and the bottom end part of the third cushion member and in which the first coupling projection can be removably inserted, the first and third cushion members are coupled to each other by inserting the first coupling projection into the first coupling hole, the second coupling portion includes: a second coupling projection which is provided on one of a bottom end part of the second cushion member and a top end part of the third cushion member and extends in the up-down direction; and a second coupling hole which is provided in another of the bottom end part of the second cushion member and the top end part of the third cushion member and in which the second coupling projection can be removably inserted, and the second and third cushion members are coupled to each other by inserting the second coupling projection into the second coupling hole.
 5. The packing member according to claim 3, wherein the third cushion member includes: a pair of side plates that face each other in a horizontal direction across the article to be packed; and a bottom plate which connects the pair of side plates together at bottoms thereof and faces a bottom surface of the article to be packed, and the third cushioning member is configured such that the article to be packed can be taken out from the storage case by gripping the pair of side plates and pulling up the third cushioning member.
 6. The packing member according to claim 5, wherein the pair of side plates each include a handle portion with an opening, the pair of side plates, with the third and second cushion members coupled together, make contact with side faces of the article to be packed, and as a result of the third and second cushion members being decoupled from each other, the pair of side plates open in directions away from the side faces of the article to be packed with bottom end parts of the side plates. 